Synthetic biology for re-targeting enzyme activity and delivery

Engineering better enzymes can contribute to many of society’s greatest challenges, from renewable energy to feeding a growing planet. Recombinant enzymes are central enabling tools for research, as well as having multi-billion pound industrial importance. We previously developed a general approach to confer resilience to harsh conditions on a range of enzymes, by synthetic biology design and protein re-engineering. This studentship will develop “smart enzymes”, through modular approaches to enhance enzyme delivery and localization in tough environments in living organisms. This integrated platform should discover general principles to advance the application of enzymes in diverse bioscience challenges.

Skills training will be provided in molecular biology, protein engineering and design, genetic selection and evolution, mass spectrometry, flow cytometry, and cellular fluorescent microscopy. According to the development of the project there may also be the chance to learn X-ray crystallography and electron microscopy.

The project will express this new class of enzymes, refine their properties through rational and library-based optimisation, and then scale-up to discover the enzyme’s impact on the organism. Functional testing will be combined with cellular investigation to discover new principles for enhancing enzyme activity in vivo.

The major part of the studentship will be carried out in Oxford University Department of Biochemistry. For the industrial placement (of no less than 12 weeks duration), the student will be supported by Dr Mike Bedford at AB Vista, one of the world’s largest enzyme manufacturers, in the UK or at one of their global sites. AB Enzymes have expertise in enzyme identification, enzyme engineering and large-scale enzyme production.

This project is supported through the Oxford Interdisciplinary Bioscience Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) BBSRC Industrial CASE (iCASE) studentship programme. The student recruited to this project will join a cohort of students enrolled in the DTP’s interdisciplinary training programme, and will be able to take full advantage of the training and networking opportunities available through the DTP. For further details please visit www.biodtp.ox.ac.uk.

Prospective applicants should contact as soon as possible the project supervisor Professor Mark Howarth ([Email Address Removed]) with their CV.